Eddie Howe praised Newcastle for their 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest, but insisted on better managing games in the future.
An unbridled first half display saw the tone race in a 4-1 lead with four goals in 13 minutes, but they were unable to match the intensity of the first half when they have a comeback from the visitors in a second period Van Nervy loved.
Goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates for Forest had reduced what looked like an indisputable lead and made the conclusion of the game much more uncomfortable than it should have been.
And although Howe was delighted to achieve an important victory that brings them in fourth place with Manchester City, he said his team should continue to make sure they improve things.
He said to Sky Sports: “Great to win. You have to remember that at the end. Crazy game, but that’s why we love it.
“Two sides of us. The first half was excellent. A great response to go down. The second half was actually just as bad. We struggled to get a grip at the momentum when it turned against us.
“At our best we are quite running, an attacking team, dynamic. You saw the best of us in the first half. “
But on their moderate representation after the break, Howe Adde: “My brain goes to the second half. We were not perfect. Defending set-plays and crossing in the box, we have usually been very good at that over the years. To a quick response, that’s what I will say.
“A really good performance from Lewis [Miley]. He ended his goal very well. He can be really satisfied, he is developing really well.
“It is a feeling that we have to remember. It feels like we have lost the game, but we won the game and points about Nottingham Forest. “
“Crazy game, but that’s why we love it!” 😍
Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle’s enormous victory over Nottingham Forest 👇 pic.twitter.com/ml7hq3ucee
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) February 23, 2025
Nuno satisfied with forest reaction
Opposite manager Nuno Espirito Santo chose to remain positive despite their third defeat in four Premier League matches and says that their second half-fightback can be a positive for the run-in while they want to stick to their Champions League place.
He said to the BBC: “The first half of Newcastle was better. Second half, we better. And the goals proved that. There is no explanation [to the first half] We have to wait.
“It was a big gap to try to recover. The reaction was very good. We gave it all and we have created many opportunities on Newcastle and believed that we could win the game.
“The reaction was good, I think the team was more recognizable. We played well and were positive in the future. I liked this the most.
‘I wish it was 10 minutes [added on] to get [the equaliser]. We were in a good time. ‘
